Erasmus guide University of Malta
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at University of Malta in Valletta, Malta.
Study abroad at University of Malta: overview
Study abroad at the University of Malta means one large public university rather than a choice between several — its Msida campus is Malta's default exchange destination, with English as the everyday teaching language for almost every course. Useful proof points: around 11,500 students including roughly 1,700 international students from over 70 countries; strengths in tourism, law, computing/AI and marine biology; and a campus a short bus ride from Valletta.
Enrollment
Around 11,500 students in full-time and part-time degree and diploma programmes
International Mix
Around 1,700 international students from over 70 countries, including Erasmus+ and bilateral exchange students
Why students choose it
The main Msida campus (locally called Tal-Qroqq) sits about 3km from Valletta, in the same student-dense harbour belt as Sliema and Gzira — a 10-20 minute bus ride from most exchange-student housing.
Language of instruction: English (primary language of instruction for almost all courses); Maltese for a small number of law and humanities courses
Exchange & application at University of Malta
Start with your home university's nomination, then complete the University of Malta's own online application before its 1 May (Semester 1) or 1 October (Semester 2) deadline. Attendance at the compulsory orientation session is not optional.
✅Requirements
Nomination or visiting-student application, passport, transcript, English proficiency evidence, health information sheet, and — for visiting students — proof of the non-refundable application fee.
📨Nomination Process
Contact your home university's International/Erasmus+ Office; they submit the formal nomination to the University of Malta before its internal deadline, ahead of the student's own application.
🛂Visa Support
EU/EEA/Swiss students only need to register residence with Identità after arrival. Non-EU students need either a Type D visa before travel or, if visa-exempt, apply for the study residence permit directly after arrival; the university's acceptance letter is a required document for either route.
🧭Orientation Week
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 / full year | Set by the home university's own Erasmus+ call — the University of Malta's incoming Erasmus+ mobility form for the 2026-27 cycle must be submitted by 17 February 2026 | 1 May (for Semester 1 and full-year enrolment) |
| Semester 2 | Confirm with your home university's exchange office for the spring cycle | 1 October (for Semester 2 enrolment) |
Arrival Checklist
- Register for the compulsory orientation session — Semester 1 2026-27 orientation is scheduled for Thursday, 24 September 2026.
- Book Campus Hub or confirm private housing before arrival; the university explicitly recommends Campus Hub to avoid residence-permit documentation delays.
- Activate your university email and course registration as soon as it opens, and check minimum/maximum ECTS limits (16-30 ECTS per semester) before finalising your learning agreement.
- Non-EU students: start the study residence permit application within days of arrival — do not wait until the 90-day visa-free window is nearly over.
Academics & courses at University of Malta
Academics run on ECTS credits within a 16-30 credit range per semester across three semesters a year. Confirm course seats and exam dates early — popular tourism, law and computing modules fill up.
📝Course Registration
Exchange and visiting students select modules within a minimum of 16 and maximum of 30 ECTS per semester, subject to faculty approval and seat availability; popular courses in tourism, law and computing can fill up, so submit a learning agreement with backup options.
🎓Credit System
ECTS
💯Grading System
University of Malta grading uses a letter/percentage scale (A-F, with numeric equivalents); exchange students should request an official transcript with an ECTS grade conversion for their home university.
✍️Exam Culture
Exam periods follow directly after teaching weeks each semester; exchange students register for exams through the same system as local students and must remain in Malta through the exam session unless prior arrangements are approved.
📚Library Access
The University Library and online learning platform (VLE) activate automatically once enrolment is confirmed.
Tuition & fees at University of Malta
Exchange students pay no tuition to the University of Malta itself; visiting (non-exchange) students pay per-ECTS fees that differ sharply for EU/EEA versus non-EU/EEA students, plus a non-refundable deposit before arrival.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | EUR 0 (pay home institution fees only) | |
| Full degree – EU/EEA (visiting) | EUR 65 per ECTS credit | |
| Full degree – non-EU/EEA (visiting) | EUR 140-180 per ECTS credit |
EUR 0 (pay home institution fees only)
EUR 65 per ECTS credit
EUR 140-180 per ECTS credit
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at University of Malta
Housing at the University of Malta should move in step with your application: Campus Hub next to the Msida campus is the university's own recommendation, specifically because it avoids the extra Housing Authority paperwork a private lease requires for non-EU students.
University of Malta offers official housing
The university's own recommended option: purpose-built, next to campus, and the simplest route through the residence-permit process.
Apply for housingFull housing guide
Find housing in Valletta
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at University of Malta
Use the International Office, Accommodation Office, Health and Wellness Centre, and MUSA sports services from week one — Malta's small scale means small admin issues can be resolved quickly if you ask early.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes — EHIC for EU/EEA/Swiss students; private insurance meeting Identità's minimum sum for non-EU students.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
Yes
🏥Campus Clinic
Mater Dei Hospital, Malta's main public hospital, sits directly next to the Msida campus; the University Health and Wellness Centre handles routine student health needs.
🧠Mental Health
The University Counselling Unit offers free, confidential sessions to enrolled and exchange students through the Health and Wellness Centre.
EHIC
Home-country dependent
Covers medically necessary state healthcare for EU/EEA/Swiss students.
Private international student insurance
Varies by provider and coverage sum (EUR 30,000-100,000 minimum depending on stage)
Required for non-EU students; confirm the exact minimum sum currently required with Identità before buying, since University of Malta students may qualify for a lower threshold than students at other institutions.
Campus services
International Office (incoming exchange and visiting students)
Application support, nomination processing, orientation, and general first-semester guidance for incoming international students.
Accommodation Office
Campus Hub booking support and general private-housing guidance for incoming students.
Health and Wellness Centre / Counselling Unit
Free confidential counselling, mental health support, and general student wellbeing services.
Malta University Sports Association (MUSA)
Campus sports facilities, clubs, and organised student sport events open to exchange students.
University Library
Physical library, study spaces, and the online learning platform (VLE), activated automatically after enrolment.
Student life at University of Malta
Student life here runs through ESN Malta's buddy programme and events calendar, KSU's campus representation, and an unusually accessible set of sea-based sports given the island setting.
Student Clubs
- Subject-specific societies across all 14 faculties, from law and business to computing and marine sciences
- Cultural and international-student societies alongside the University of Malta Students' Council (KSU)
Buddy Program
ESN Malta's buddy programme pairs incoming exchange students with local or returning international students for the first weeks
Sports & Recreation
- Campus gym and sports facilities through MUSA
- Swimming, sailing, and diving clubs — unusually accessible given Malta's coastline
Public Groups & Communities
ESN Malta — exchange-student events, trips, and the ESNcard
University of Malta Students' Council (KSU) — official student representation and campus events
Malta University Sports Association (MUSA) — sports clubs and events
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend the compulsory orientation session and activate your student email and VLE access.
- Confirm housing and, if non-EU, start the study residence permit application immediately.
- Join ESN Malta and the buddy programme before the welcome events calendar fills up.
- Finalise your learning agreement and check exam dates before booking any return travel.
Key exchange dates at University of Malta
The critical dates are the Erasmus+ nomination window, the 1 May / 1 October application deadlines, compulsory orientation, housing and residence-permit steps, course/learning-agreement confirmation, and each semester's exam session.
-
1
Erasmus+ incoming mobility form (2026-27 cycle)
By 17 February 2026
Home university nominates the student; the University of Malta's incoming exchange form for the cycle must be submitted by this date.
-
2
Application window (Semester 1 / full year)
Up to 1 May
Final deadline to submit the full incoming-student application with all supporting documents.
-
3
Orientation (Semester 1, 2026-27)
Thursday, 24 September 2026
Compulsory orientation session for incoming exchange and visiting students.
Campus events hub: Browse all events